Posted on June 10, 2026
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 8 June 2026 – Van Oord has been commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat to build almost 4 kilometres of longitudinal dams and create approximately 31 hectares of tidal area in the Dutch Scheur river. In doing so, it will support the objectives of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The project will restore the habitat for fish, birds and aquatic plants and contribute to protecting and improving water quality.
Van Oord will design and construct two longitudinal dams by Maassluis and Rozenburg in the Scheur river. Sand will be deposited between the longitudinal dams and the existing bank, and the bank will be raised in a number of places, creating new tidal nature. Along the river at Rozenburg and Maassluis, openings will be made in the existing groynes, enhancing tidal nature.
Van Oord will work with various partners including its subsidiaries Paans Van Oord and Van Oord Grondstoffen. By reusing rocks from its own projects, Van Oord will reduce transport distances and the impact on the environment. Implementation of the project will start in the third quarter of 2026 and last until summer 2027.
Background: Water Framework Directive
The EU’s Water Framework Directive obliges member states to ensure clean and healthy groundwater and surface water by 2027. Rijkswaterstaat contributes to this by implementing these measures in the major rivers. The implementation of the measures under this framework contract will start in 2026 and continue until the end of 2027.
